Daily Commute

Highlights of the ride from northside Tooting Common to Angel. Mainly taking back streets of Clapham and Stockwell. Past the usual London mix of flats, high rise and big houses. At the Larkhall one way railway bridge (2 way for bikes) look left to see Battersea Power Station and right to see Crystal Palace TV mast (is it the only place you can see the 2 at once I always wonder?)

Over Lansdowne Way (builders from Bath built round here?) down main road to smart newish river side apartments – sometimes see modern day urchins fishing coins from the fountain here. Always stop here looking back – moon setting over still derelict Battersea Power Station, itself rising above the mist hanging over the murky water. Just here are gulls bothering motionless herons patrolling the mudflats, cormorants on bouys wings out drying in the early morning sun, swans gliding downstream looking bizarre against the grimy river and north bank. Seem much cooler than the sweating rowers getting in practice before their land commutes no doubt.

Push on eastwards along the south bank past the green spies home towards the rising sun giving golden tints to the tops of the Houses of Parliament. As pass the London Eye more folk appear and the living statues waiting to bag their spaces. Sun now giving a silver sheen to the Thames. Come off south bank through the chain saw carved furniture at Gabriel's Wharf and over the river to scoot thru Smithfields avoiding the butchers vans and being thankful I’m a veggie. On up to Exmouth Market and work.

 

Back the same way and again into the sun as going west along the river. By now awash with people looking down at the beach sculptures if the tide’s out, avoid dreamy thinkers browsing the Waterloo Bridge book market and in December off bike to avoid German Xmas market shoppers. Marvel again at HP with sunset red clouds behind and check Big Ben – on time for Simpsons. Come off south bank to go past German pub (St Pauli shown here) and then past Oval gas works and the home of Surrey CCC. Back up to the dizzy heights of Balham – that gateway to the south…

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/56957144

(a train spotters guide to the Oval - over 150 years of sport – 1st UK test match, 1st ever international football match, 1st FA Cup Final)